Exploring the Business of Change

I recently had the opportunity to attend a public meeting for a new business space to be built in a pseudo-rural area outside Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. There were two distinct sides of the room, strangely enough – the right side supporting the space and the left one opposing it. What struck me about the opposition was the very evident and unwavering resistance to change.

This has prompted me to consider change itself and the importance of change both as it relates to the Internet and to growing a business in general.

The Internet, without doubt, is a constant platform of change.

It’s in a state of perpetual evolution and, whether we like it or not, this is the only thing about the Internet that won’t, in fact, change.

For businesses, this can be a huge asset. Instead of placing Yellow Page ads that are static and unchanging for a year, for example, businesses can engage in Internet marketing that is regularly adapted to incorporate new technologies and optimize to increase results.

Powerful, indeed.

How many of us right now are doing business without change?

Are we relying on the same strategies? The same ad copy? The same networking groups and events? Are we seeing the same results we’ve become accustomed to?

Perhaps it’s time to shake things up a bit! In fact, I’d go so far as to say that change is essential to growth, and the absence of it almost assuredly means “death” for the business.

Make a point to throw something new into your marketing mix this month: a new social media strategy, perhaps, or a new networking event.

Aim for 25% of your marketing efforts each month to be put into new strategies.

The result will be one of two things:

It will be so effective that it takes the place of one of your current initiatives.

It isn’t successful, so you drop that strategy and try something new in its place.

Change, adapt, repeat.

Continue this cycle, and you’re sure to see an increased ROI over time!

Change can be scary. It can also be one of the most rewarding experiences both in business and in life. If you haven’t already... challenge yourself to embrace change as part of your standard business (and life) plan. Then get ready for a fun ride!